About Simpson Hill

Background
Local residents have been hiking on Simpson Hill for millennia no doubt, but the trails currently in place began in 1982. They highlight natural features, mosses, lichens, trees, ledges and valleys that represent the diversity of the mountain, and provide areas for people to enjoy the views and experience the solitude of the wilderness. Our hope is that Simpson Hill can be maintained as a green space/recreation area for years to come… to delight our children, grandchildren, and visitors from around the world.

Green Space Initiative
The vision of Simpson Hill as “Green Space” for nature enjoyment, low impact recreation and watershed protection has been shared for many years by the Bayside LSD committee, the Town of St. Andrews, the Van Horne Heritage Trail Inc. (VHHTI), the NB Trails Council Inc. (NBTCI), the St. Andrews Chamber of Commerce, Chamcook Watershed Landowners’ Association, the local community, and other local organizations. About two-thirds of Simpson Hill and most of our trail system lies within the Champlain Industrial Park which is owned by the Regional Development Corporation. We began submitting proposals to the provincial government in 1998 to more firmly establish this area as “green space”, but did not achieve this goal until 2018.

History Steps along the way (in brief):

  • 2005 – Bayside Preservation Committee was formed in response to concerns about land use and “quality of life” in Bayside
  • 2005 – Memorial geocache was established near Table Top in memory of Karen D. Foulkes. (And an environmental fund as well with Fundy Community Foundation)
  • 2008 – Large group of interested folks hiked to Table Top to celebrate Earth Day
  • 2017 – Simpson Hill Wilderness Trails and Sentier NB Trails, with Chamcook Watershed Landowners’ Association acting as local trail sponsor, request a Licence of Occupation from Regional Development Commission.
  • 2018 – From April to June, Sentier NB Trails working with the Chamcook Watershed Landowners’ Association and Simpson Hill Wilderness Committee within it meet the criteria for a Licence of Occupation for Simpson Hill Trails. On June 2, the announcement is made at a public meeting at Bayside Hall on Parks & Trails Day.

Trail Location